Scott Brennan is trying to piece together a life shattered by a road rage incident that killed his wife and left his teen daughter, Jane, deaf and resentful of him. Still hoping to mend things with Jane a year later, Brennan accepts a contract for a high-paying demolition job in the desolate New Mexico sprawl outside Las Cruces. When he and Jane arrive at the site, they are suddenly taken hostage by a dangerous couple, who will stop at nothing to retrieve what lies beneath the property. Now father and daughter must work together to outsmart their captors and survive the grueling night.
For thoughts on Dig (2022), please check out our discussion on The Video Attic:
Video Quality
Dig (2022) arrives on Blu-Ray with a decent 1080p presentation in its original 2.39:1 aspect ratio that delivers the inherently unpleasant looking film in high definition. The film lacks distinct clarity throughout thanks to a gritty and fuzzy aesthetic that suppresses subtle textures you would otherwise find in backgrounds and clothing. You still get a semblance of texture, but not much that captures the nuances. Black levels struggle slightly when it comes to depth while exhibiting some digital noise in the more shadowy moments. Color saturation is hindered thanks to the earthy color grade cast over the entire film, but this disc represents that choice well. Skin tones are run a bit warm due to this, and exposed skin begins to show off grime, bruises and scars as the story goes along. The core identity of this movie is not visually striking, but this track replicates it without much fuss.
Audio Quality
The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track is utilized effectively to tell this story. The soundscape on display here is pronounced within its creative confines. This story features the sounds of car engines, desert wind cutting across the planes, gunfire and more emanating from numerous directions. The movie uses environmental sounds to establish mood and location, and the track retains strong detail even when situations come to a head. Dialogue comes through clearly as it balances well with the competing elements. The low end does come alive in a few key moments, but it is not going to bring your house down. This track delivers what it needs to. There are English SDH and Spanish subtitles provided.
Special Features
- Audio Commentary: Director K. Asher Levin and actor Thomas Jane provide a fun and informative commentary track packed with details about the origins of the project, the excitement for Thomas to work with his daughter, the ensemble cast, fleshing out elements of the script from the initial draft, motivations behind certain moments, filming during a pandemic and more.
Final Thoughts
Dig (2022) is a film which does not attempt to break beyond its disposable DTV vibes. The two above-the-title performers bring the project a small shred of credibility, but neither of them seem to be putting forth any major effort. Emile Hirsch at least injects a small bit of unpredictability into his performance, but he has done similar work even better in Alpha Dog and Killer Joe. This story delivers the bare minimum of entertainment, but it is not something you will remember long after the credits have finished rolling. Lionsgate Home Entertainment has released a Blu-Ray with a fine A/V presentation and a few decent supplemental features. If you are curious about the subject or the cast, feel free to give it a shot, but this will not be something that sticks with you.
Dig (2022) is currently available to purchase on Blu-Ray, DVD and Digital.
Note: Images presented in this review are not reflective of the image quality of the Blu-Ray.
Disclaimer: Lionsgate Home Entertainment has supplied a copy of this disc free of charge for review purposes. All opinions in this review are the honest reactions of the author.
Dillon is most comfortable sitting around in a theatre all day watching both big budget and independent movies.